US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden hosted military families at the White House, emphasizing the freedom and liberty of America.

Americans Celebrate 247th Independence Day with Parades, Fireworks, and Presidential BBQ

Hong Kong police announced whopping bounties of HK$1 million each for the capture of eight prominent pro-democracy activists who are in self-imposed exile overseas, as per media reports. All of these activists fled Hong Kong following the implementation of a far-reaching national security law by Beijing in 2020.

According to Steven Li, chief superintendent of the Hong Kong national security department, the targeted activists have been accused of committing grave offenses that endanger national security,&nbsp; AFP news agency reported. The group includes former pro-democracy lawmakers Nathan Law Kwun-chung, Ted Hui Chi-fung, and Dennis Kwok Wing-hang, as well as veteran unionist Mung Siu-tat.&nbsp;

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The remaining four activists are Elmer Yuen Gong-yi, Finn Lau Cho-dik, Anna Kwok Fung-yee, and Kevin Yam Kin-fung.&nbsp;All eight are accused of colluding with foreign forces to undermine national security law. Notably, the law was introduced in response to the pro-democracy protests that took place in Hong Kong in 2019, and it aims to strengthen Beijing's control over the territory. Breaching the law carries a potential life sentence.

<h2>Intimidation allegations by HK police&nbsp;</h2>

Hong Kong police allege that the activists advocated for sanctions to harm Hong Kong's interests, and even targeted specific judges and prosecutors, intimidating Hong Kong officials. While the police cannot arrest them if they remain abroad, Li said, "But we will not stop (chasing them)."&nbsp;A reward of HK$1 million or $127,644 is being offered for each activist. It will be awarded to individuals who provide information "leading to the arrest or satisfactory prosecution".

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The national security law has significantly transformed Hong Kong's social fabric, reportedly eroding the legal boundaries that once existed between the autonomous region and mainland China.&nbsp;

It grants authorities the ability to hold individuals across the world accountable. Security cases are now handled by designated officers, prosecutors, and judges in Hong Kong, while Beijing can assume control of certain cases for trial within its opaque, Communist Party-controlled justice system.

<h2>Violation of 'One country, two systems' agreement</h2>

Britain has vowed to protect the exiled pro-democracy activists targeted by Hong Kong police.&nbsp;Foreign Secretary James Cleverly stated that the UK will not tolerate China's attempts to intimidate and silence individuals both in the UK and overseas.&nbsp;

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The UK government strongly objected to the national security law and its extraterritorial reach, saying it violates the legally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration. “The UK will always defend the universal right to freedom of expression and stand up for those who are targeted," Cleverly said.&nbsp;

In 1997, the United Kingdom transferred control of the former British colony, Hong Kong, to China. As part of the agreement, China pledged to preserve the framework of "one country, two systems." “We call on Beijing to remove the national security law and for the Hong Kong authorities to end their targeting of those who stand up for freedom and democracy," the UK foreign secretary added.&nbsp;

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Hong Kong police announced whopping bounties of HK$1 million each for the capture of eight prominent pro-democracy activists who are in self-imposed exile overseas, as per media reports.

Hong Kong police announced whopping bounties of HK$1 million each for the capture of eight prominent pro-democracy activists who are in self-imposed exile overseas, as per media reports. All of these activists fled Hong Kong following the implementation of a far-reaching national security law by Beijing in 2020. According to Steven Li, chief superintendent of the Hong Kong national security department, the targeted activists have been accused of committing grave offenses that endanger national security, AFP news agency reported. The group includes former pro-democracy lawmakers Nathan Law Kwun-chung, Ted Hui Chi-fung, and Dennis Kwok Wing-hang, as well as veteran unionist Mung Siu-tat. Also Read | Dog suffocates in scorching car as careless pet owners enjoy tour of Taj Mahal The remaining four activists are Elmer Yuen Gong-yi, Finn Lau Cho-dik, Anna Kwok Fung-yee, and Kevin Yam Kin-fung. All eight are accused of colluding with foreign forces to undermine national security law. Notably, the law was introduced in response to the pro-democracy protests that took place in Hong Kong in 2019, and it aims to strengthen Beijing's control over the territory. Breaching the law carries a potential life sentence. Intimidation allegations by HK police Hong Kong police allege that the activists advocated for sanctions to harm Hong Kong's interests, and even targeted specific judges and prosecutors, intimidating Hong Kong officials. While the police cannot arrest them if they remain abroad, Li said, "But we will not stop (chasing them)." A reward of HK$1 million or $127,644 is being offered for each activist. It will be awarded to individuals who provide information "leading to the arrest or satisfactory prosecution". Also Read | UK witnesses hottest June since records began nearly 140 years ago: Met Office The national security law has significantly transformed Hong Kong's social fabric, reportedly eroding the legal boundaries that once existed between the autonomous region and mainland China. It grants authorities the ability to hold individuals across the world accountable. Security cases are now handled by designated officers, prosecutors, and judges in Hong Kong, while Beijing can assume control of certain cases for trial within its opaque, Communist Party-controlled justice system. Violation of 'One country, two systems' agreement Britain has vowed to protect the exiled pro-democracy activists targeted by Hong Kong police. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly stated that the UK will not tolerate China's attempts to intimidate and silence individuals both in the UK and overseas. Watch | Japan set to release contaminated Fukushima water into Pacific, angering China × The UK government strongly objected to the national security law and its extraterritorial reach, saying it violates the legally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration. “The UK will always defend the universal right to freedom of expression and stand up for those who are targeted," Cleverly said. In 1997, the United Kingdom transferred control of the former British colony, Hong Kong, to China. As part of the agreement, China pledged to preserve the framework of "one country, two systems." “We call on Beijing to remove the national security law and for the Hong Kong authorities to end their targeting of those who stand up for freedom and democracy," the UK foreign secretary added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Hong Kong police offer HK$1mn bounties for hunting exiled democracy activists, UK hits back

To hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi tell it, India is “the mother of democracy” and a country where there is “absolutely no” discrimination of any sort. 
 
In almost poetic language, he painted an idyllic picture of the state of democracy in an address to the joint houses of Congress which was punctuated by frequent applause and standing ovations. His paean to Indian democracy, however, did not prompt many to rise to their feet. Americans tend to view their own country as modern history’s first democracy. 
 
Here is what Modi said: 
“ Democracy is the spirit that supports equality and dignity.&nbsp; 
Democracy is the idea that welcomes debate and discourse.&nbsp; 
Democracy is the culture that gives wings to thought and expression.&nbsp; 
India is blessed to have such values from times immemorial.&nbsp; 
In the evolution of the democratic spirit, India is the Mother of Democracy.” 
 
Asked to comment earlier at a joint press conference with US&nbsp;President Joe Biden on reports that his government has discriminated against religious minorities and sought to silence its critics, Modi’s response was “I’m actually really surprised that you are saying that people say so.” He added: “In India’s democratic values, there is absolutely no discrimination neither on the basis of caste, creed, age, or any kind of geographic location.” 
&nbsp; 
Modi’s visit to Washington, an occasion of pomp and circumstance and only the third such visit since President Joe Biden took office, prompted extensive media coverage and numerous references to human rights organisations pointing out government-sponsored hostility to India’s Muslim minority. 
 
Yet for reporters, there was no need to refer to non-governmental organisations to specify that “the mother of democracy” is far from perfect. For an American government view of democracy in India, look no further than the US State Department’s latest annual Human Rights report, issued in March. In extraordinary detail, the 19,000-word chapter on India provides a long list of anti-democratic practices.

The report paints a grim picture of rising religious intolerance, shrinking political space, government targeting of civil society organisations and journalists, growing restrictions on press freedoms and internet access, increasing violence against religious minorities, extrajudicial killings by the government and arbitrary arrest and detention of people then held as political prisoners. The list goes on.&nbsp;

To get such different assessments in perspective, it is useful to look at long-running surveys compiled by independent analysts on the state of democracies around the world. They include the World Press Freedom Index whose 2023 report places India at 161 out of 180 countries surveyed. That is just three places above Russia. The latest Democracy Index of the widely-respected Economist Intelligence Unit ranks India as a “flawed democracy.”

The V-Dem (Varieties of Democracy) Institute at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden classifies India as an “electoral autocracy”, a phrase used to denote countries with free and fair elections but where leaders, once elected, pursue autocratic practices such as cracking down on press freedom and opposition politicians.

According to V-Dem, the vast majority of the world’s eight billion people live in autocracies. &nbsp;Fewer than seven per cent live in full democracies, one of four categories listed by the Economist Intelligence Unit. The others are flawed democracies, hybrid regimes and authoritarian regimes. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-invites-egyptian-president-to-g20-summit-during-state-visit-to-egypt-608566">ALSO READ|&nbsp;PM Modi invites Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to G20 summit in New Delhi</a> 
 
A full democracy, by the definition of the widely-respected EIU, is a country that not only guarantees political freedoms and civil liberties but also has a well-functioning government, free and fair elections, independent and diverse media, an independent judiciary and an effective system of checks and balances. 
 
A flawed democracy also has free and fair elections but weak governance, infringements on media freedom and low levels of political participation. In hybrid countries, the government exerts pressure on opposition parties, allows widespread corruption, harasses journalists and has a judiciary that lacks independence. The term authoritarian government is self-explanatory and the list includes China, Russia and Saudi Arabia.&nbsp; 
 
The United States, for many years classified as a full democracy, lost that status in 2017 and has since been ranked as a flawed democracy. The reason, according to the EIU: dwindling trust in government, elected representatives and political parties. That trend preceded the election of Donald Trump in 2016 but accelerated since then.&nbsp; 
 
Now, the US ranks 30 on a list of 167 countries. India takes up 40th place. The top ten of the countries rated full democracies are Norway, New Zealand, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Taiwan. Afghanistan comes dead last. 
 
Democratic government is a messy, difficult business. That helps explain a startling finding by annual surveys conducted by the Chicago-based communications company Edelman. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, authoritarian governments in several key countries are more trusted by their citizens than democracies. 
 
The 2023 Trust Barometer, based on more than 36,000 online interviews in 28 countries, &nbsp;showed that no government was as trusted by its citizens as China (83%), followed by the United Arab Emirates (76 %) and Saudi Arabia (63%). All three are authoritarian.&nbsp; 
 
Even allowing for a measure of scepticism about online surveys in highly efficient surveillance states such as China and the UAE, the findings are remarkable. Edelman has conducted its surveys for more than two decades, and China has regularly scored high on trust. 
 
India is ranked fourth in that index, which showed a two-per cent increase, to 76%, from 2022 to 2023. The citizens of the world’s most populous country apparently have little problem with the democratic flaws criticised by outsiders.&nbsp; 
 
Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

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To hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi tell it, India is “the mother of democracy” and a country where there is “absolutely no” discrimination of any sort. In almost poetic language, he painted an idyllic picture of the state of democracy in an address to the joint houses of Congress which was punctuated by frequent applause and standing ovations.

To hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi tell it, India is “the mother of democracy” and a country where there is “absolutely no” discrimination of any sort. In almost poetic language, he painted an idyllic picture of the state of democracy in an address to the joint houses of Congress which was punctuated by frequent applause and standing ovations. His paean to Indian democracy, however, did not prompt many to rise to their feet. Americans tend to view their own country as modern history’s first democracy. Here is what Modi said: “ Democracy is the spirit that supports equality and dignity. Democracy is the idea that welcomes debate and discourse. Democracy is the culture that gives wings to thought and expression. India is blessed to have such values from times immemorial. In the evolution of the democratic spirit, India is the Mother of Democracy.” Asked to comment earlier at a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden on reports that his government has discriminated against religious minorities and sought to silence its critics, Modi’s response was “I’m actually really surprised that you are saying that people say so.” He added: “In India’s democratic values, there is absolutely no discrimination neither on the basis of caste, creed, age, or any kind of geographic location.” Modi’s visit to Washington, an occasion of pomp and circumstance and only the third such visit since President Joe Biden took office, prompted extensive media coverage and numerous references to human rights organisations pointing out government-sponsored hostility to India’s Muslim minority. Yet for reporters, there was no need to refer to non-governmental organisations to specify that “the mother of democracy” is far from perfect. For an American government view of democracy in India, look no further than the US State Department’s latest annual Human Rights report, issued in March. In extraordinary detail, the 19,000-word chapter on India provides a long list of anti-democratic practices. The report paints a grim picture of rising religious intolerance, shrinking political space, government targeting of civil society organisations and journalists, growing restrictions on press freedoms and internet access, increasing violence against religious minorities, extrajudicial killings by the government and arbitrary arrest and detention of people then held as political prisoners. The list goes on. To get such different assessments in perspective, it is useful to look at long-running surveys compiled by independent analysts on the state of democracies around the world. They include the World Press Freedom Index whose 2023 report places India at 161 out of 180 countries surveyed. That is just three places above Russia. The latest Democracy Index of the widely-respected Economist Intelligence Unit ranks India as a “flawed democracy.” The V-Dem (Varieties of Democracy) Institute at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden classifies India as an “electoral autocracy”, a phrase used to denote countries with free and fair elections but where leaders, once elected, pursue autocratic practices such as cracking down on press freedom and opposition politicians. According to V-Dem, the vast majority of the world’s eight billion people live in autocracies. Fewer than seven per cent live in full democracies, one of four categories listed by the Economist Intelligence Unit. The others are flawed democracies, hybrid regimes and authoritarian regimes. ALSO READ| PM Modi invites Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to G20 summit in New Delhi A full democracy, by the definition of the widely-respected EIU, is a country that not only guarantees political freedoms and civil liberties but also has a well-functioning government, free and fair elections, independent and diverse media, an independent judiciary and an effective system of checks and balances. A flawed democracy also has free and fair elections but weak governance, infringements on media freedom and low levels of political participation. In hybrid countries, the government exerts pressure on opposition parties, allows widespread corruption, harasses journalists and has a judiciary that lacks independence. The term authoritarian government is self-explanatory and the list includes China, Russia and Saudi Arabia. The United States, for many years classified as a full democracy, lost that status in 2017 and has since been ranked as a flawed democracy. The reason, according to the EIU: dwindling trust in government, elected representatives and political parties. That trend preceded the election of Donald Trump in 2016 but accelerated since then. Now, the US ranks 30 on a list of 167 countries. India takes up 40th place. The top ten of the countries rated full democracies are Norway, New Zealand, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Taiwan. Afghanistan comes dead last. Democratic government is a messy, difficult business. That helps explain a startling finding by annual surveys conducted by the Chicago-based communications company Edelman. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, authoritarian governments in several key countries are more trusted by their citizens than democracies. The 2023 Trust Barometer, based on more than 36,000 online interviews in 28 countries, showed that no government was as trusted by its citizens as China (83%), followed by the United Arab Emirates (76 %) and Saudi Arabia (63%). All three are authoritarian. Even allowing for a measure of scepticism about online surveys in highly efficient surveillance states such as China and the UAE, the findings are remarkable. Edelman has conducted its surveys for more than two decades, and China has regularly scored high on trust. India is ranked fourth in that index, which showed a two-per cent increase, to 76%, from 2022 to 2023. The citizens of the world’s most populous country apparently have little problem with the democratic flaws criticised by outsiders. Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Modi visit to US: Highlights different types of democracy around the world

At the joint press conference with US President Joe Biden in the White House on June 22, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Democracy is in our DNA. Democracy is in our spirit & we live it and it's written in our Constitution. That is why, India believes in sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas, sabka prayaas and walks ahead with it." Take a look.

Democracy in our DNA: PM Modi at the White House joint press conference

After the much-awaited bilateral meeting, prime minister Narendra Modi and United States President Joe Biden addressed the Press from the White House. During the question hour, Prime Minister Modi was asked what steps is this government willing to take to improve the rights of minorities across India in response he emphasized the importance of democracy in India and that the way democracy runs is in the DNA of both India and the US. Former US President Barack Obama speaking to CNN raised concerns over ethnic minorities in India.

Indian PM Modi and US President Biden stress democracy, minority rights in joint press conference

The streets of the country's capital city Warsaw got lit up in the colours of rainbow. Thousands of LBTQ people demanded their rights and recognition for existence.

Warsaw faces concerns over democracy standards by EU

On the 34th anniversary of Poland's first post-war democratic election, hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered in Warsaw to participate in a march organised by the liberal opposition. The demonstrations were aimed at challenging e nearly eight years of nationalist rule and determine the prospects of the opposition for the election later this year.

Poland's first post-war democratic election took place on June 4, 1989. This election marked a significant moment in Polish history as it was the first free election held in the country since the end of World War II. It was a crucial step in the dismantling of communist rule and the establishment of a democratic system in Poland.

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It was held following a series of political and social changes that had been taking place in Poland, including the rise of the Solidarity trade union movement and increasing demands for political reform.&nbsp;

<h2>'European Union yes, PiS no'</h2>

The crowds, stretching for miles, brandished banners proclaiming messages such as "Free, European Poland" and "European Union yes, PiS no," referring to the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party.

Some attendees even held masks bearing the image of PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski with the word "shame" inscribed on them. While the organisers estimated the march involved half a million participants, no official estimate was provided by the police or city officials. Similar protests also took place in various other Polish cities and towns.

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Jacek Gwozdz, a 51-year-old IT specialist from Nowy Sacz, described the demonstration as an unprecedented display of energy, comparing it to the breakthrough moment of June 4, 1989. The 1989 election in Poland was a crucial milestone in the country's history, symbolising the beginning of a new era of democracy and political freedom.&nbsp;

<h2>Upcoming elections to be&nbsp;fiercely contested: Polls&nbsp;</h2>

Opinion polls suggest that the upcoming election will be fiercely contested, with the PiS government benefiting from its stance against Russia's actions in neighbouring Ukraine, positioning itself as a prominent anti-Kremlin voice in Europe.

Despite facing widespread criticism domestically and internationally for eroding the rule of law, controlling state media, and endorsing homophobia, the opposition has struggled to mobilise broad support.

Watch | Chinese astronauts return to Earth | East-Asian space race | World News

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The PiS government, led by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, denies undermining democratic norms and argues that its policies aim to protect traditional Christian values and create a fairer economy in the face of liberal pressures from the West.

<h2>Poland's first postwar democratic election&nbsp;</h2>

The 1989 elections were conducted in a partially open manner, with a degree of political competition allowed. The newly formed Solidarity movement, led by Lech Wałęsa, played a prominent role in the election and won a significant victory.&nbsp;

Lech Wałęsa, a prominent Solidarity leader, was later elected as the first non-communist President of Poland in 1990. It served as an inspiration for other countries in Central and Eastern Europe undergoing similar transformations, and it contributed to the broader process of the fall of communism in the region.

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On the 34th anniversary of Poland's first post-war democratic election, hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered in Warsaw to participate in a march organised by the liberal opposition.

On the 34th anniversary of Poland's first post-war democratic election, hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered in Warsaw to participate in a march organised by the liberal opposition. The demonstrations were aimed at challenging e nearly eight years of nationalist rule and determine the prospects of the opposition for the election later this year. Poland's first post-war democratic election took place on June 4, 1989. This election marked a significant moment in Polish history as it was the first free election held in the country since the end of World War II. It was a crucial step in the dismantling of communist rule and the establishment of a democratic system in Poland. Also Read | China: Landslide claims 19 lives in Sichuan province It was held following a series of political and social changes that had been taking place in Poland, including the rise of the Solidarity trade union movement and increasing demands for political reform. 'European Union yes, PiS no' The crowds, stretching for miles, brandished banners proclaiming messages such as "Free, European Poland" and "European Union yes, PiS no," referring to the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party. Some attendees even held masks bearing the image of PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski with the word "shame" inscribed on them. While the organisers estimated the march involved half a million participants, no official estimate was provided by the police or city officials. Similar protests also took place in various other Polish cities and towns. Also Read | Earthquake of magnitude 6 jolts Indonesia's Maluku Jacek Gwozdz, a 51-year-old IT specialist from Nowy Sacz, described the demonstration as an unprecedented display of energy, comparing it to the breakthrough moment of June 4, 1989. The 1989 election in Poland was a crucial milestone in the country's history, symbolising the beginning of a new era of democracy and political freedom. Upcoming elections to be fiercely contested: Polls Opinion polls suggest that the upcoming election will be fiercely contested, with the PiS government benefiting from its stance against Russia's actions in neighbouring Ukraine, positioning itself as a prominent anti-Kremlin voice in Europe. Despite facing widespread criticism domestically and internationally for eroding the rule of law, controlling state media, and endorsing homophobia, the opposition has struggled to mobilise broad support. Watch | Chinese astronauts return to Earth | East-Asian space race | World News × The PiS government, led by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, denies undermining democratic norms and argues that its policies aim to protect traditional Christian values and create a fairer economy in the face of liberal pressures from the West. Poland's first postwar democratic election The 1989 elections were conducted in a partially open manner, with a degree of political competition allowed. The newly formed Solidarity movement, led by Lech Wałęsa, played a prominent role in the election and won a significant victory. Lech Wałęsa, a prominent Solidarity leader, was later elected as the first non-communist President of Poland in 1990. It served as an inspiration for other countries in Central and Eastern Europe undergoing similar transformations, and it contributed to the broader process of the fall of communism in the region. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Poland: On post-war democratic election anniversary, oppn holds protests against ruling PiS party

Watch a special conversation with constitutional expert and senior advocate Arvind Datar on 50 years of the landmark Kesavananda Bharati judgment.

Kesavananda Bharati judgment guardian of democracy : Expert

Hundreds of pro-democracy activists took to the streets of Khartoum on 6th of April. Marching against the army and the paramilitaries, they braved tear gas and water cannon. The day marks a key anniversary in the decades-old struggle against military rule. The head of the Sudanese army pledged his commitment to a plan for a new transition towards elections. A major bone of contention has been the integration of a paramilitary force, which has now twice delayed the signing of a final deal. Mohammed Saleh explores.

Protesters demanding democracy brave tear gas in Sudan | World at War

Indian opposition leader from the Congress party, Salman Khurshid said Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is willing to destroy Democracy in order to save his “Param Mitr” (translated to Best Friend) Indian billionaire Gautam Adani.

Khurshid, who is on a visit to Srinagar in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, held an interaction with the media. The Congress leader said that the Indian National Congress will do everything to save Indian democracy.&nbsp; He added that on 7 February&nbsp;2023, Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi asked two simple questions about the Adani Mega Scam in his speech in Parliament.&nbsp;

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''The first was Rs. 20,000 crore or 3 billion dollars in shell companies owned by Adani. Adani could not have generated this money. He is in the infrastructure business, where did this money come from? Whose money, is it? Whose shell companies are these? These companies are working in the defence field. Why does nobody know? Whose money is this? There is a Chinese national involved in this," Khurshid said.&nbsp;

"Why is nobody asking the question, who is this Chinese national? That was the first question. And the second question is: What is the Prime Minister’s relationship with Adani? Shri Rahul Gandhi showed the picture of PM Modi in Mr Adani’s plane, relaxing. He gave documentation about the defence industry, the airports, statements made in Sri Lanka, statements made in Bangladesh, and pictures of Mr Narendra Modi sitting with the State Bank (of India) Chairman in Australia who reportedly sanctioned a $1 billion loan to Adani, '' the Congress leader said raising questions.&nbsp;

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According to Congress, just nine days after Rahul Gandhi’s speech in Parliament on Adani’s scam, the defamation case against him was revived.

The Surat court on 23 March sentenced Rahul Gandhi to two years imprisonment in the defamation case over his 'Modi surname' remark which he made in April 2019 during a Lok Sabha election rally in the state of Karnataka.&nbsp;

A day after that the Indian parliament on 24 March, disqualified Rahul Gandhi as a lawmaker after finding him guilty of defamation. The court sentenced him to two years in prison, according to a parliament secretariat notice. However, the congress leader has 30 days to exercise judicial remedies.

Very specific references to Adani Scam from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s speech in Rajya Sabha and Rahul Gandhi’s speech (almost entirely) were expunged from Parliament’s records. The party had decided to go to higher courts to appeal the decision.&nbsp;

Watch | Israel protests: US President Joe Biden urges Netanyahu to abandon judicial overhaul

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''Rahul Gandhi and the Congress will not get scared. During the Bharat Jodo Yatra, we went directly to the people and heard their concerns – price rise, unemployment, social inequality, and the capture of institutions. We will continue to raise these issues of the people and continue to send our message directly to the people, '' said Salman Khurshid, Congress Leader.&nbsp;

The Congress party also said that the British used to punish Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Patel, and Maulana Azad either with sedition or jail sentences. The Congress eventually won against the British and now, the Modi government is targeting Rahul Gandhi for exposing thieves and scamsters, he said adding, "The Congress will win again."

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Indian opposition leader from the Congress party, Salman Khurshid said Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is willing to destroy Democracy in order to save his “Param Mitr” (translated to Best Friend) Indian billionaire Gautam Adani.

Indian opposition leader from the Congress party, Salman Khurshid said Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is willing to destroy Democracy in order to save his “Param Mitr” (translated to Best Friend) Indian billionaire Gautam Adani. Khurshid, who is on a visit to Srinagar in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, held an interaction with the media. The Congress leader said that the Indian National Congress will do everything to save Indian democracy. He added that on 7 February 2023, Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi asked two simple questions about the Adani Mega Scam in his speech in Parliament. Also Read | Marriage a license to rape? India's top court to hear pleas on marital rape; these countries criminalise it ''The first was Rs. 20,000 crore or 3 billion dollars in shell companies owned by Adani. Adani could not have generated this money. He is in the infrastructure business, where did this money come from? Whose money, is it? Whose shell companies are these? These companies are working in the defence field. Why does nobody know? Whose money is this? There is a Chinese national involved in this," Khurshid said. "Why is nobody asking the question, who is this Chinese national? That was the first question. And the second question is: What is the Prime Minister’s relationship with Adani? Shri Rahul Gandhi showed the picture of PM Modi in Mr Adani’s plane, relaxing. He gave documentation about the defence industry, the airports, statements made in Sri Lanka, statements made in Bangladesh, and pictures of Mr Narendra Modi sitting with the State Bank (of India) Chairman in Australia who reportedly sanctioned a $1 billion loan to Adani, '' the Congress leader said raising questions. Also Read | Kashmir's Tulip Garden, Asia's largest, saw over 100,000 visitors in first week of opening According to Congress, just nine days after Rahul Gandhi’s speech in Parliament on Adani’s scam, the defamation case against him was revived. The Surat court on 23 March sentenced Rahul Gandhi to two years imprisonment in the defamation case over his 'Modi surname' remark which he made in April 2019 during a Lok Sabha election rally in the state of Karnataka. A day after that the Indian parliament on 24 March, disqualified Rahul Gandhi as a lawmaker after finding him guilty of defamation. The court sentenced him to two years in prison, according to a parliament secretariat notice. However, the congress leader has 30 days to exercise judicial remedies. Very specific references to Adani Scam from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s speech in Rajya Sabha and Rahul Gandhi’s speech (almost entirely) were expunged from Parliament’s records. The party had decided to go to higher courts to appeal the decision. Watch | Israel protests: US President Joe Biden urges Netanyahu to abandon judicial overhaul × ''Rahul Gandhi and the Congress will not get scared. During the Bharat Jodo Yatra, we went directly to the people and heard their concerns – price rise, unemployment, social inequality, and the capture of institutions. We will continue to raise these issues of the people and continue to send our message directly to the people, '' said Salman Khurshid, Congress Leader. The Congress party also said that the British used to punish Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Patel, and Maulana Azad either with sedition or jail sentences. The Congress eventually won against the British and now, the Modi government is targeting Rahul Gandhi for exposing thieves and scamsters, he said adding, "The Congress will win again." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

PM Modi willing to destroy democracy to save Indian billionaire Adani: Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid

Three months after Sudan’s military leaders and the country’s main pro-democracy group struck a deal set to organise a gradual transfer of power to civilians, they have reached a timeline. The finalised political settlement will be inked on April 11. However, major political players, from former rebel leaders to grassroots pro-democracy networks, remain opposed to the deal despite internationally brokered efforts to draw them in.

Agreement to form transitional government

Dramatic images emerge from Israel protests as people chant 'democracy', beat drums

US President Joe Biden and Brazil's leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met at the White House on Friday to restart relations after the turbulent presidency of Donald Trump supporter Jair Bolsonaro ended. The two presidents spoke to the media before their late-afternoon Oval Office meeting to discuss their common beliefs towards combating climate change and defending democracy from the rise of authoritarianism.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-chinese-spy-balloon-now-high-altitude-object-shot-down-over-alaska-white-house-560783">First, Chinese 'spy' balloon, now, high-altitude object shot down over Alaska : White House</a>

"Both our nations, strong democracies have been tested of late, very much tested. Our institutions are put in jeopardy. Both the United States and Brazil. Democracy prevailed for both the United States and Brazil. Democracy prevailed," Biden said at the White House meet.&nbsp;

"We reject political violence and we put great value in our democratic institutions. Our shared values and the strong ties between our people&nbsp;make Brazil, the United States, especially here in the big global challenges – they put us on the same page, and particularly, especially in climate crisis," Biden continued.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-journalist-who-rescued-minor-domestic-help-in-gurgaon-relives-horror-of-abuse-560714">Exclusive: Journalist who rescued minor domestic help in India's Gurgaon relives horror of abuse</a>

Meanwhile, Lula expressed will to reposition Brazil in the new world and geopolitics. He thanked Biden for "solidarity and for acknowledging my ... When I was sworn in office." He acknowledged Biden's "posturing, the defence of democracy. And last but not the least, to congratulate you for your speech, the State of the Union two days ago."

Referring to his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, Lula pointed out that the former president "did not enjoy to keep international relations with any country. His world started and ended with fake news. In the morning, afternoon and at night. It seems that he despised international relations."

“First, never more allow that there should be a new chapter written again on the Capitol invasion here. Never more should happen what happened in Brazil, with the invasion of the National Congress, the President’s Palace, and the Supreme Court building," he said

Watch | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-did-turkiye-misuse-earthquake-tax-560763">Gravitas: Did Turkiye misuse Earthquake tax?</a>

Bolsonaro flew to Florida two days before his term ended on Jan. 1, having challenged the results of the Oct. 30 runoff election that he narrowly lost to Lula. Days later, a violent group of election-denying Bolsonaro supporters stormed Brazil's presidential palace, Congress and Supreme Court.

Bolsonaro, who lost to Lula in the 30th October runoff election, boarded a flight to Florida two days before his tenure came to an end on 1st January. He had contested the outcome of the election.&nbsp;

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US President Joe Biden and Brazil's leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met at the White House on Friday to restart relations after the turbulent presidency of Donald Trump supporter Jair Bolsonaro ended.

US President Joe Biden and Brazil's leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met at the White House on Friday to restart relations after the turbulent presidency of Donald Trump supporter Jair Bolsonaro ended. The two presidents spoke to the media before their late-afternoon Oval Office meeting to discuss their common beliefs towards combating climate change and defending democracy from the rise of authoritarianism. Also Read | First, Chinese 'spy' balloon, now, high-altitude object shot down over Alaska : White House "Both our nations, strong democracies have been tested of late, very much tested. Our institutions are put in jeopardy. Both the United States and Brazil. Democracy prevailed for both the United States and Brazil. Democracy prevailed," Biden said at the White House meet. "We reject political violence and we put great value in our democratic institutions. Our shared values and the strong ties between our people make Brazil, the United States, especially here in the big global challenges – they put us on the same page, and particularly, especially in climate crisis," Biden continued. Also Read | Exclusive: Journalist who rescued minor domestic help in India's Gurgaon relives horror of abuse Meanwhile, Lula expressed will to reposition Brazil in the new world and geopolitics. He thanked Biden for "solidarity and for acknowledging my ... When I was sworn in office." He acknowledged Biden's "posturing, the defence of democracy. And last but not the least, to congratulate you for your speech, the State of the Union two days ago." Referring to his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, Lula pointed out that the former president "did not enjoy to keep international relations with any country. His world started and ended with fake news. In the morning, afternoon and at night. It seems that he despised international relations." “First, never more allow that there should be a new chapter written again on the Capitol invasion here. Never more should happen what happened in Brazil, with the invasion of the National Congress, the President’s Palace, and the Supreme Court building," he said Watch | Gravitas: Did Turkiye misuse Earthquake tax? Bolsonaro flew to Florida two days before his term ended on Jan. 1, having challenged the results of the Oct. 30 runoff election that he narrowly lost to Lula. Days later, a violent group of election-denying Bolsonaro supporters stormed Brazil's presidential palace, Congress and Supreme Court. Bolsonaro, who lost to Lula in the 30th October runoff election, boarded a flight to Florida two days before his tenure came to an end on 1st January. He had contested the outcome of the election. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

At White House meet, Joe Biden and Brazil President Lula vow to protect democracy

"India is the world's largest democracy and we Indians are also proud of the fact that our country is also the mother of democracy, which is in our culture. For centuries, it has been an integral part of our daily lives. By nature we are a democratic society," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his first Mann Ki Baat of 2023.

97th edition of Mann Ki Baat: In first talk of 2023, PM Modi says 'India is mother of democracy'

Peru has been witnessing massive protests since December last year from supporters of far-left former president Pedro Castillo. Castillo's supporters are outraged over his arrest following impeachment and failed attempt to dissolve Congress. So can we say that Pedro's attempted coup exposed the crumbling state of Peru's democratic institutions?&nbsp;

Well, according to experts this is not the case. Latin America analyst Hari Seshasayee told WION that "Peru's democracy is not as fragile as we think. Despite all the impeachments and now the protests, there has been no military coup d'etat and no authoritarian leader has governed Peru in recent years."&nbsp;

The main issue, Seshasayee pointed out, is that the "political party system has all but crumbled since the early 2000s and it remains in dire straits."&nbsp;

Given Peru's history, WION asked the expert whether the current president Dina Boluarte is also staring down the same downfall. Is her downfall predictable too?&nbsp;

The analyst explained that the current Boluarte government has already made some missteps, particularly by allowing so much violence and resulting deaths to continue under their watch. It is pertinent to note that over 50 people have died in the unrest which has gripped the Latin American nation.&nbsp;

There is definitely a possibility that Dina Boluarte either resigns or is impeached, Seshasayee highlighted however he continued by saying that even if Boluarte resigns or is impeached, the protests may reach a pause but they will not stop completely.&nbsp;

"The demands now are for a constituent assembly to rewrite the 1993 constitution enacted by Alberto Fujimori. At the minimum, even if Boluarte does not resign, she will be forced to call for earlier elections, perhaps sometime in the second half of 2023," he added.&nbsp;

The unicameral Congress of Peru has the legislative power vested in it. This is the same institution which has been surrounded by allegations of corruption and is deemed the most crooked one of all.&nbsp;

How can congress be made corruption free? WION asked Seshasayee in a conversation. According to him, Peru's Congress is highly corrupt but there is little chance of remedying this in the short term. "It requires political reforms that no Peruvian president would be willing to take because it would be political suicide for them."&nbsp;

Just a day ago, Boluarte called for a "truce" in a bid to calm down protesters who were on an all-out clash with police who fired tear gas on them.&nbsp;

Now, as the Boluarte government is facing accusations of killing the protesting Peruvians to shun the uprising, the president alleged that a lot of those who had died were not shot by police but by their fellow demonstrators only.

In the latest development, Peru lawmakers have reportedly submitted a motion that seeks the impeachment of President Dina Boluarte.&nbsp;

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Peru has been witnessing massive protests since December last year from supporters of far-left former president Pedro Castillo. Castillo's supporters are outraged over his arrest following impeachment and failed attempt to dissolve Congress.

Peru has been witnessing massive protests since December last year from supporters of far-left former president Pedro Castillo. Castillo's supporters are outraged over his arrest following impeachment and failed attempt to dissolve Congress. So can we say that Pedro's attempted coup exposed the crumbling state of Peru's democratic institutions? Well, according to experts this is not the case. Latin America analyst Hari Seshasayee told WION that "Peru's democracy is not as fragile as we think. Despite all the impeachments and now the protests, there has been no military coup d'etat and no authoritarian leader has governed Peru in recent years." The main issue, Seshasayee pointed out, is that the "political party system has all but crumbled since the early 2000s and it remains in dire straits." Given Peru's history, WION asked the expert whether the current president Dina Boluarte is also staring down the same downfall. Is her downfall predictable too? The analyst explained that the current Boluarte government has already made some missteps, particularly by allowing so much violence and resulting deaths to continue under their watch. It is pertinent to note that over 50 people have died in the unrest which has gripped the Latin American nation. There is definitely a possibility that Dina Boluarte either resigns or is impeached, Seshasayee highlighted however he continued by saying that even if Boluarte resigns or is impeached, the protests may reach a pause but they will not stop completely. "The demands now are for a constituent assembly to rewrite the 1993 constitution enacted by Alberto Fujimori. At the minimum, even if Boluarte does not resign, she will be forced to call for earlier elections, perhaps sometime in the second half of 2023," he added. The unicameral Congress of Peru has the legislative power vested in it. This is the same institution which has been surrounded by allegations of corruption and is deemed the most crooked one of all. How can congress be made corruption free? WION asked Seshasayee in a conversation. According to him, Peru's Congress is highly corrupt but there is little chance of remedying this in the short term. "It requires political reforms that no Peruvian president would be willing to take because it would be political suicide for them." Just a day ago, Boluarte called for a "truce" in a bid to calm down protesters who were on an all-out clash with police who fired tear gas on them. Now, as the Boluarte government is facing accusations of killing the protesting Peruvians to shun the uprising, the president alleged that a lot of those who had died were not shot by police but by their fellow demonstrators only. In the latest development, Peru lawmakers have reportedly submitted a motion that seeks the impeachment of President Dina Boluarte. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Is Peru democracy in danger?

WION and Vikram Chandra, founder of editorji, are now taking India's story to the world. The special series brings you up close with the biggest Indian newsmakers and analyses what global developments mean for the world's biggest democracy. Wednesdays: 8:30 PM IST | 3 PM GMT Thursdays: 10:30 PM IST | 5 PM GMT

The India Story with Vikram Chandra

2023 is going to be an eventful election year. Democracy is on the ballot in several nations, there are a host of electoral contests. Molly Gambhir tells you which states are going to polls.

Gravitas: Will 2023 disrupt the prevailing global order?

A latest report by an international think tank claims that half of the world’s democratic countries are currently experiencing “an erosion of democracy”. The report also claimed that the situation has worsen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"We're seeing extraordinarily severe headwinds for democracy now, intensified by the political fallout from the economic crisis that started with the pandemic and the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine", International IDEA secretary-general Kevin Casas-Zamora told AFP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-government-relaxes-covid-19-rules-in-several-districts-in-guangzhou-538833">Chinese government relaxes COVID-19 rules in several districts in Guangzhou</a>

"It might be that the credibility of elections is challenged. It might be that the rule of law is under assault. It might be that civic space is being constrained", he added in the report.

The report identified seven democracies where the erosion has been the most severe. Currently, the nations are El Salvador, Brazil, Hungary, India, United States, Mauritius and Poland.

The inclusion of the US in the list was regarded as a worrying trend by the think tank.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-removed-from-uk-nuclear-project-a-day-after-sunaks-golden-era-over-statement-538678">China booted from UK nuclear project after Sunak's 'golden era over' statement</a>

"I'm very concerned by what we're seeing in the United States", he said.

"It's quite clear by now that the fever didn't break with the election of a new administration," he said, pointing to "the runaway levels of polarisation (and) the attempts to undermine the credibility of electoral results without any evidence of fraud," he said according to Reuters.

Official data suggests that 104 out of the 173 countries covered by the report are democracies and around half of them are currently in decline. 27 nations are slowly moving towards authoritarianism.

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A latest report by an international think tank claims that half of the world’s democratic countries are currently experiencing “an erosion of democracy”. The report also claimed that the situation has worsen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

A latest report by an international think tank claims that half of the world’s democratic countries are currently experiencing “an erosion of democracy”. The report also claimed that the situation has worsen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. "We're seeing extraordinarily severe headwinds for democracy now, intensified by the political fallout from the economic crisis that started with the pandemic and the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine", International IDEA secretary-general Kevin Casas-Zamora told AFP. Also read | Chinese government relaxes COVID-19 rules in several districts in Guangzhou "It might be that the credibility of elections is challenged. It might be that the rule of law is under assault. It might be that civic space is being constrained", he added in the report. The report identified seven democracies where the erosion has been the most severe. Currently, the nations are El Salvador, Brazil, Hungary, India, United States, Mauritius and Poland. The inclusion of the US in the list was regarded as a worrying trend by the think tank. Also read | China booted from UK nuclear project after Sunak's 'golden era over' statement "I'm very concerned by what we're seeing in the United States", he said. "It's quite clear by now that the fever didn't break with the election of a new administration," he said, pointing to "the runaway levels of polarisation (and) the attempts to undermine the credibility of electoral results without any evidence of fraud," he said according to Reuters. Official data suggests that 104 out of the 173 countries covered by the report are democracies and around half of them are currently in decline. 27 nations are slowly moving towards authoritarianism.

Half of world's democracies are currently in decline, claims report

A new report by a committee of the European Parliament claimed that EU democracy is under attack by the increasing use of mercenary spyware that violates privacy rights.

Report: EU democracy is under attack by mercenary spyware

US President Joe Biden said warned that it would be a threat to democracy if some Republican candidates refused to accept the results from next week's midterm elections if they lose.

US President Joe Biden warns future of democracy at risk as midterms loom

Democracy is our dharma, and elections are its festival. Indeed, who here has not witnessed the beauty of the “Indian election season”.&nbsp;Politicians burst like crackers on prime-time television debates&nbsp; Streets and Newspapers are filled with colourful campaigns and party symbols. While the typical election campaign is commanded by the experienced and shrewd 'Netas' (politicians)&nbsp;with their inexperienced yet enthusiastic and young 'Karyakartas' (workers). The introduction of political consultancy firms might just shift the epicentre of Indian politics to corporate offices and IIT/IIM graduates.&nbsp;This is the corporatisation and professionalisation of democracy and elections.&nbsp;

Political Consultancy firms are organisations that assist political parties to win elections. These political consultancy firms offer various kinds of services which can include creating manifestos, promotional materials, campaign strategies, election funding policy ideas and media relations.&nbsp;

This phenomenon came to limelight in the aftermath of the 2014 elections. A key figure being Prashant Kishore, the founder of IPAC. Since then,&nbsp;such firms have played a huge role in elections in West Bengal, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab and others.&nbsp;

These political consultancy firms and election strategists claim to be politically uninterested, and ideologically ambiguous. Their only incentive is earning money in return for their service. You ask them, Modi or Gandhi? And they will reply, the one who pays me more. That is the corporate ethos seeping into our democratic culture.&nbsp;

So let us understand how democracy is being sabotaged&nbsp;by looking at three factors:&nbsp;money, traditional party structures and the rising influence of such firms.

The role of money has always been a controversial issue in Indian politics. The rise of political consulting firms will only make the situation worse. These professionals charge several lakhs for their services. Individual candidates can be charged up to an average&nbsp;of $30,000-$36,000 (Rs 25-30 lakhs). Whereas contracts with huge firms can go up to $18 million (Rs 150 crores). 

Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) estimated that this industry racked up to $96 million (Rs 800 crores) during the 2014 elections. The exaggeration of money's role in elections due to such firms can not be overstated. 

This means that the rich and elite, especially the spawns of corporate overlords and political dynasties, can pay such political consulting firms money to make up for their lack of experience and grasp of ground realities. Whereas those from humble backgrounds without access to such services will not stand a chance. Without a heavy profit margin, there will be no incentive to back a candidate.

Moreover, corporatisation and professionalisation are destroying the traditional structure of political parties. This usually consists of the upper order and the lower grassroot workers. 

Local units are usually responsible for campaigning, rallies and execution of plans. The local cadres have constantly provided India with her most diverse and charismatic leaders such as Lal Bahadur Shastri and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 

They are a symbol of her representative democracy. However, today, the corporate machinery is replacing them and hence most local units view such firms as hostile.

A third problematic factor is the emergence of a strong lobby of political strategists who carry immense and unchecked influence. They influence government policies and&nbsp;have insight into what is going on in high-level meetings. They have essentially monopolised the connection between parties and people. 

They have the power to make or break elections and yet they lack any accountability or transparency. Party leaders and CM candidates have merely been reduced to the ‘face’ of the party, while allegations have emerged that the true authority rests with the election strategists.&nbsp;

Contrary to their claims of being uninterested in power, reports have emerged that various political consultancy firms are supposedly the ones deciding who is allowed to contest in elections.&nbsp;The supposedly uninterested assistants have become&nbsp;key figures in political parties' internal conflicts.&nbsp;

Though the prospect of using technology, data and recruiting firms to understand and change the political climate of India might sound exciting, the reliance on such firms will not have a healthy impact on Indian democracy. 

Such firms are like steroids; they may give a strong boost in the short run but will prove to be detrimental in the long term. The need of the hour is regulation and oversight. 

Though the law limits the amount of money that can be used by candidates during elections, the effectiveness and enforcement of such laws remain to be seen.The Election Commission needs to take&nbsp;cognisance of this pernicious trend and come up with possible solutions for the same.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)&nbsp;

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Democracy is our dharma, and elections are its festival. Indeed, who here has not witnessed the beauty of the “Indian election season”. Politicians burst like crackers on prime-time television debates Streets and Newspapers are filled with colourful campaigns and party symbols.

Democracy is our dharma, and elections are its festival. Indeed, who here has not witnessed the beauty of the “Indian election season”. Politicians burst like crackers on prime-time television debates Streets and Newspapers are filled with colourful campaigns and party symbols. While the typical election campaign is commanded by the experienced and shrewd 'Netas' (politicians) with their inexperienced yet enthusiastic and young 'Karyakartas' (workers). The introduction of political consultancy firms might just shift the epicentre of Indian politics to corporate offices and IIT/IIM graduates. This is the corporatisation and professionalisation of democracy and elections. Political Consultancy firms are organisations that assist political parties to win elections. These political consultancy firms offer various kinds of services which can include creating manifestos, promotional materials, campaign strategies, election funding policy ideas and media relations. This phenomenon came to limelight in the aftermath of the 2014 elections. A key figure being Prashant Kishore, the founder of IPAC. Since then, such firms have played a huge role in elections in West Bengal, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab and others. These political consultancy firms and election strategists claim to be politically uninterested, and ideologically ambiguous. Their only incentive is earning money in return for their service. You ask them, Modi or Gandhi? And they will reply, the one who pays me more. That is the corporate ethos seeping into our democratic culture. So let us understand how democracy is being sabotaged by looking at three factors: money, traditional party structures and the rising influence of such firms. The role of money has always been a controversial issue in Indian politics. The rise of political consulting firms will only make the situation worse. These professionals charge several lakhs for their services. Individual candidates can be charged up to an average of $30,000-$36,000 (Rs 25-30 lakhs). Whereas contracts with huge firms can go up to $18 million (Rs 150 crores). Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) estimated that this industry racked up to $96 million (Rs 800 crores) during the 2014 elections. The exaggeration of money's role in elections due to such firms can not be overstated. This means that the rich and elite, especially the spawns of corporate overlords and political dynasties, can pay such political consulting firms money to make up for their lack of experience and grasp of ground realities. Whereas those from humble backgrounds without access to such services will not stand a chance. Without a heavy profit margin, there will be no incentive to back a candidate. Moreover, corporatisation and professionalisation are destroying the traditional structure of political parties. This usually consists of the upper order and the lower grassroot workers. Local units are usually responsible for campaigning, rallies and execution of plans. The local cadres have constantly provided India with her most diverse and charismatic leaders such as Lal Bahadur Shastri and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. They are a symbol of her representative democracy. However, today, the corporate machinery is replacing them and hence most local units view such firms as hostile. A third problematic factor is the emergence of a strong lobby of political strategists who carry immense and unchecked influence. They influence government policies and have insight into what is going on in high-level meetings. They have essentially monopolised the connection between parties and people. They have the power to make or break elections and yet they lack any accountability or transparency. Party leaders and CM candidates have merely been reduced to the ‘face’ of the party, while allegations have emerged that the true authority rests with the election strategists. Contrary to their claims of being uninterested in power, reports have emerged that various political consultancy firms are supposedly the ones deciding who is allowed to contest in elections. The supposedly uninterested assistants have become key figures in political parties' internal conflicts. Though the prospect of using technology, data and recruiting firms to understand and change the political climate of India might sound exciting, the reliance on such firms will not have a healthy impact on Indian democracy. Such firms are like steroids; they may give a strong boost in the short run but will prove to be detrimental in the long term. The need of the hour is regulation and oversight. Though the law limits the amount of money that can be used by candidates during elections, the effectiveness and enforcement of such laws remain to be seen.The Election Commission needs to take cognisance of this pernicious trend and come up with possible solutions for the same. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Rise of political consultancy firms revolutionising or undermining democracy?

Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader on Thursday said that he would prefer to die in India, a free and open democracy rather than among “artificial” Chinese officials.

'When my time comes, I would prefer to dying in India', says Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama

Hungary is no longer a “full democracy” and the European Union needs to do everything to bring it back into line with European values, the European Parliament said on Thursday.

MEPs voted 433 in favour, 123 against, to now describe Hungary — ruled by populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who maintains close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin — “a hybrid regime of electoral autocracy” in “serious breach” of EU democratic norms.

The vote was largely symbolic and does not change the course of the Union’s decision making, which requires unanimity of all 27 member states — including Hungary — to adopt major issues, such as sanctions on Russia.

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With their vote, the EU lawmakers roundly adopted a parliamentary resolution that said Hungary has been backsliding on democratic and fundamental rights since 2018 through the “deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian government”.

The report said lack of action by EU institutions had exacerbated the degradation.

Hungary is no longer a “full democracy” and the European Union needs to do everything to bring it back into line with European values, the European Parliament said on Thursday.

Hungary is no longer a “full democracy” and the European Union needs to do everything to bring it back into line with European values, the European Parliament said on Thursday. MEPs voted 433 in favour, 123 against, to now describe Hungary — ruled by populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who maintains close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin — “a hybrid regime of electoral autocracy” in “serious breach” of EU democratic norms. The vote was largely symbolic and does not change the course of the Union’s decision making, which requires unanimity of all 27 member states — including Hungary — to adopt major issues, such as sanctions on Russia. Also read | Watch: World's oldest heart dating back 380 million years discovered in Australia With their vote, the EU lawmakers roundly adopted a parliamentary resolution that said Hungary has been backsliding on democratic and fundamental rights since 2018 through the “deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian government”. The report said lack of action by EU institutions had exacerbated the degradation.

Hungary no longer a full democracy: EU resolution

European Parliament, which has declared Hungary is no longer full democracy, has led to a furious reaction from Budapest. Hungary has condemned the EU's decision as 'an insult'.

Hungary blasts European Parliament 'insult' over democratic credentials

European Parliament declared Hungary is no longer a full democracy which led to a furious reaction from Hungary. The members of European Parliament voted 433 in favor while 123 voted against the decision. It finally describes Hungary as a hybrid regime of electoral autocracy in serious breach of EU Democratic Norms.

Hungarian Prime Minister slams 'joke' EU resolution

US President Joe Biden has warned equality & democracy under assault in the US. He said, 'Maga forces are determined to take this country backwards'.

Joe Biden warns equality & democracy under assault in the US

Thousands of Brazilians took to the streets in defense of democracy amid sustained attacks from President Jair Bolsonaro on the country's voting system. The rallies took place weeks ahead of key presidential elections in October.

Brazilians took to the streets in defense of democracy over Bolsonaro election fears

On Tuesday, President Kais Saied declared that Tunisia had "entered a new phase" with a new constitution that would transfer all the powers to his office.

Monday's referendum came a year after Saied sacked the government and suspended the parliament of the only democracy to have emerged due to the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings.

Although there had been little doubt the "Yes" campaign would win, an exit poll suggested that only a quarter of the votes of 9.3 million electorates were cast and were overwhelmingly in favour of Saied.

Most of Saied's rivals called for a boycott of the voting. But, while turnout was low, it was higher than the single figures many observers had expected, at least 27.5 %, according to the electoral board controlled by Saied.

Hours after polling stations closed, Saied addressed supporters in downtown Tunis and said, "What the Tunisian people did is a lesson to the world and a lesson to history on a scale that the lessons of history are measured on,".

The National Salvation Front, an opposition coalition, said the draft constitution would enshrine a "coup d'etat" and that 75% of Tunisians have refused to approve it.

Saied, a 64-year-old law professor, dissolved the parliament and seized control of the judiciary and the electoral commission on 25th July last year.

His opponents say that the move is aimed at installing an autocracy a decade after the fall of dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. However, supporters of Saied argue that the steps were necessary after years of corruption and political turmoil.

A poll of "Yes" voters by state television suggested that reforming the country and improving the situation along with support for Kais Saied were the primary reasons for backing the new constitution.

However, legal experts have warned that the draft gives the president vast, unchecked powers, including putting the president in command of the army and allowing him to appoint a government without parliamentary approval, making it virtually impossible to remove him from office.

Saied has also threatened his enemies in recent months, issuing video diatribes against unnamed foes he describes as "germs", "snakes", and "traitors".

On Monday, he promised that everyone who has committed crimes against the country would be held accountable for their actions.

Hassen Zargouni, head of the Sigma Conseil group that conducted the exit poll, said that of the 7,500 voters questioned, 92-93 % were in the "Yes" camp.

He also defended the turnout by saying it was pretty good, given that about two million people have been added to electoral rolls since the 2019 legislative elections.

He also highlighted that it was not surprising as the participation in elections has gradually declined since the 2011 revolution, from just over half in a parliamentary poll months after Ben Ali's overthrow to 32 % in 2019.

Saied now appears to have a clear path to transforming the country's governance from a hybrid parliamentary system to a presidential model that gives him a vicelike grip on the country.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

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On Tuesday, President Kais Saied declared that Tunisia had "entered a new phase" with a new constitution that would transfer all the powers to his office. Monday's referendum came a year after Saied sacked the government and suspended the parliament of the only democracy to have emerged due to the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings.

On Tuesday, President Kais Saied declared that Tunisia had "entered a new phase" with a new constitution that would transfer all the powers to his office. Monday's referendum came a year after Saied sacked the government and suspended the parliament of the only democracy to have emerged due to the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings. Although there had been little doubt the "Yes" campaign would win, an exit poll suggested that only a quarter of the votes of 9.3 million electorates were cast and were overwhelmingly in favour of Saied. Most of Saied's rivals called for a boycott of the voting. But, while turnout was low, it was higher than the single figures many observers had expected, at least 27.5 %, according to the electoral board controlled by Saied. Hours after polling stations closed, Saied addressed supporters in downtown Tunis and said, "What the Tunisian people did is a lesson to the world and a lesson to history on a scale that the lessons of history are measured on,". The National Salvation Front, an opposition coalition, said the draft constitution would enshrine a "coup d'etat" and that 75% of Tunisians have refused to approve it. Saied, a 64-year-old law professor, dissolved the parliament and seized control of the judiciary and the electoral commission on 25th July last year. His opponents say that the move is aimed at installing an autocracy a decade after the fall of dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. However, supporters of Saied argue that the steps were necessary after years of corruption and political turmoil. A poll of "Yes" voters by state television suggested that reforming the country and improving the situation along with support for Kais Saied were the primary reasons for backing the new constitution. However, legal experts have warned that the draft gives the president vast, unchecked powers, including putting the president in command of the army and allowing him to appoint a government without parliamentary approval, making it virtually impossible to remove him from office. Saied has also threatened his enemies in recent months, issuing video diatribes against unnamed foes he describes as "germs", "snakes", and "traitors". On Monday, he promised that everyone who has committed crimes against the country would be held accountable for their actions. Hassen Zargouni, head of the Sigma Conseil group that conducted the exit poll, said that of the 7,500 voters questioned, 92-93 % were in the "Yes" camp. He also defended the turnout by saying it was pretty good, given that about two million people have been added to electoral rolls since the 2019 legislative elections. He also highlighted that it was not surprising as the participation in elections has gradually declined since the 2011 revolution, from just over half in a parliamentary poll months after Ben Ali's overthrow to 32 % in 2019. Saied now appears to have a clear path to transforming the country's governance from a hybrid parliamentary system to a presidential model that gives him a vicelike grip on the country. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE -

Tunisia: A country that saw dictatorship transform into democracy and now turning into autocracy

Myanmar’s junta has followed through on its plan to execute four political prisoners, including a former lawmaker from the ousted civilian government, which it accused of carrying out “brutal and terror acts.”

Myanmar executes pro-democracy activists

The main exception to the globalisation of democracy is the continued lack of even a single democratic regime in the Arab world. In the Arab world, democracy and the extensive list of rights that are believed to be inalienable to the human condition have largely been seen as exotic ideas, ones to be admired from a distance and desired by the hundreds of millions of Arabs who live under political repression, unrepresentative government, and a lack of fundamental freedoms of expression.

A new survey has suggested that Arabs in the Middle East and North Africa are losing faith in democracy's potential to bring about economic stability.The Arab Barometer network surveyed around 23,000 people in nine nations and the Palestinian territories for BBC News Arabic.

The majority of people concurred with the statement that democracies have weak economies.

The results were released a little over ten years after the so-called Arab Spring protests, which demanded political reform.

Only one of those nations, Tunisia, was still a democracy less than two years after the protests, but if a draught constitution unveiled last week is ratified, the nation may return to dictatorship.

Since the last survey in 2018/19, the region's views on democracy have changed, according to Michael Robbins, director of Arab Barometer, a research network based at Princeton University that collaborated with universities and polling organisations in the Middle East and North Africa to conduct the survey between late 2021 and spring 2022.

More than half of respondents generally concur with the statement that a democratic system results in a weak economy across the majority of the nations polled.

More than half of respondents in every nation questioned also state that they either agree or strongly agree that the success of their government's programmes is more important to them than the nature of their political system. 
&nbsp;

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The main exception to the globalisation of democracy is the continued lack of even a single democratic regime in the Arab world. In the Arab world, democracy and the extensive list of rights that are believed to be inalienable to the human condition have largely been seen as exotic ideas, ones to be admired from a distance and desired by the hundreds of millions of Arabs who live under political repression, unrepresentative government, and a lack of fundamental freedoms of expression.

The main exception to the globalisation of democracy is the continued lack of even a single democratic regime in the Arab world. In the Arab world, democracy and the extensive list of rights that are believed to be inalienable to the human condition have largely been seen as exotic ideas, ones to be admired from a distance and desired by the hundreds of millions of Arabs who live under political repression, unrepresentative government, and a lack of fundamental freedoms of expression. A new survey has suggested that Arabs in the Middle East and North Africa are losing faith in democracy's potential to bring about economic stability.The Arab Barometer network surveyed around 23,000 people in nine nations and the Palestinian territories for BBC News Arabic. The majority of people concurred with the statement that democracies have weak economies. The results were released a little over ten years after the so-called Arab Spring protests, which demanded political reform. Only one of those nations, Tunisia, was still a democracy less than two years after the protests, but if a draught constitution unveiled last week is ratified, the nation may return to dictatorship. Since the last survey in 2018/19, the region's views on democracy have changed, according to Michael Robbins, director of Arab Barometer, a research network based at Princeton University that collaborated with universities and polling organisations in the Middle East and North Africa to conduct the survey between late 2021 and spring 2022. More than half of respondents generally concur with the statement that a democratic system results in a weak economy across the majority of the nations polled. More than half of respondents in every nation questioned also state that they either agree or strongly agree that the success of their government's programmes is more important to them than the nature of their political system. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Democracy weakens the economy', feel Arabs: Survey

Sudanese forces have fired tear gas on protesters near presidential palace. As per reports, nine people have been killed in largest anti-coup rally. Meanwhile, UN has condemned the violence and called in unacceptable.

Sudan: Protesters demand democracy, forces fire tear gas on protesters

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